Chelsea have to sell N’Golo Kante to buy West Ham star Declan Rice
Chelsea will reportedly need to sell N’Golo Kante if they are to succeed in signing Declan Rice from West Ham, according to the Daily Mail.
The Hammers star is believed to be in high demand from the European champions as well as Manchester United and Manchester City, and manager David Moyes has said he will cost well over £100million (90 Min).
The Blues currently have a midfield that contains the UEFA Midfielder of the Season in the French international, the UEFA Men’s Player of the Year in Jorginho, and January’s Premier League goal of the month winner Mateo Kovacic.
Following the Iron’s midfielder appearing on Gary Neville’s The Overlap this week, it is widely suggested that his boyhood links to Stamford Bridge make that his preferred destination.
The Mail reports: “Manchester City have made strong advances before but Rice would ideally love to return to Chelsea having been released by the club at 14.
“Chelsea would need to sell N’Golo Kante to free up space in Rice’s position but that is a possibility with the French World Cup winner now in his thirties.”
Presumptive
Chelsea are known to have held an interest in bringing back the player they let go at academy age, with Frank Lampard a particular driver of it in his time as manager there.
Manchester United appeared to have become the primary candidate over recent weeks, following Rice’s post-match comments after the game at Old Trafford that it was one of his “favourite places to play” (talkSPORT).
But the links with Chelsea never go away, and his comments about his “idol” John Terry, and his well-known friendship with Stamford Bridge star Mason Mount now point him towards West London.
Hammers fans will not want to see him go anywhere, and probably least of all to Chelsea, especially after he rescued Moyes’ side from FA Cup humiliation at the weekend.
But the Telegraph reports that a perceived lack of ambition in the transfer window in not signing anybody has made an exit more likely.
French star Kante hailed as the “Premier League’s best midfielder” as recently as two years ago (Guardian) has had injury issues but proved last year he is still at that level when fit.
It seems presumptuous to assume Thomas Tuchel’s side would be looking to get rid of him yet, so perhaps a space will not come available for Rice.
In other West Ham news, Kidderminster manager Russell Penn shares how his side were treated by the Hammers following the game on Saturday.